LONDON – Prince William and Kate Middleton look relaxed, poised and very much in love in official photos released Sunday by the prince’s office to mark their engagement.
One of the two images by Mario Testino shows the couple, dressed in jeans and casual tops, smiling in each other’s arms. The other, more formal, depicts them standing together in a state room at St. James’s Palace.
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Fashion photographer Testino is a royal family favorite who captured some of the most iconic images of William’s late mother, Princess Diana.
Testino said the couple appeared “in their prime and brimming with happiness” when he photographed them Nov. 25.
“I have never felt so much joy as when I see them together,” he said.
The Peruvian photographer took a series of glamorous black-and-white images of Diana that were published in Vanity Fair in 1997, shortly before her death in a Paris car crash. He also took portraits to mark Prince William’s 21st birthday in 2003, and his younger brother Prince Harry’s 20th birthday in 2004.
William, who is second in line to the British throne, has inherited his mother’s poise. In both pictures, he and Middleton appear entirely comfortable with the camera and each other.
In the formal photos the couple stands in the palace’s Council Chamber, in front of oil paintings of some of William’s ancestors.
The more intimate picture shows the pair embracing in front of a window at the palace. Clearly visible is the engagement ring William gave her: an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds that belonged to his mother.
William and Middleton, both 28, announced last month that they will marry April 29 at Westminster Abbey in London.
Pink Floyd scion arrested post-protest
LONDON – Police arrested Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s son Sunday after he was photographed climbing a war memorial during violent student protests.
Pictures of Charlie Gilmour, 21, swinging from the national flag on the Cenotaph ran in many British newspapers. Gilmour apologized Friday for his behavior.
Police said a 21-year-old man was arrested Sunday in Sussex, where Gilmour lives, on suspicion of violent disorder, theft and “attempted criminal damage of the Union flag on the Cenotaph.”
British police do not usually name suspects until they are charged.
‘Bed Intruder’ most-watched YouTube video
NEW YORK – Antoine Dodson’s dramatic reaction to a local crime has spawned the most-watched YouTube video of the year, excepting music videos.
When the Alabama student gave an angry TV interview about the attempted rape of his younger sister, he became a viral hit. When a video turned that rant into an auto-tuned song, “Bed Intruder Song,” Dodson, 24, became an Internet sensation.
The “Bed Intruder Song” is the top YouTube video of the year, the Google Inc.-owned company announced today. YouTube added the view counts for two versions of the video, which put its total at more than 61 million views.
The “Bed Intruder” video was remixed by New York musicians Evan and Michael Gregory. The song charted on iTunes, with profits being split between Dodson and the Gregorys.
“Blessings come in disguise,” Dodson earlier told The Associated Press.
Women win ‘Amazing Race’
NEW YORK — Doctor pals Nat and Kat crossed the finish line Sunday to win “The Amazing Race.”
They also made history, becoming the first two-woman team to claim the $1 million grand prize in the 17 seasons of the CBS reality series.
Nat Strand, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Kat Chang, of Santa Monica, Calif., were first to reach the Los Angeles destination on Sunday’s finale.
Finishing in second place were a rival female duo, Brook Roberts, of San Diego, and Claire Champlin, of Reno, Nev., who are best friends and hosts on a home shopping network.
Coming in third were dating couple Jill Haney and Thomas Wolfard, of Marina Del Rey, Calif.
Critics pick Facebook film
LOS ANGELES – The Facebook drama “The Social Network” was picked as the year’s best picture Sunday by the influential Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
The group’s best-actor prize went to Colin Firth for the British monarchy tale “The King’s Speech,” while Kim Hye-ja won best actress for the South Korean drama “Mother.”
Overseas crime dramas won the other acting honors: Jacki Weaver as supporting actress for Australia’s “Animal Kingdom” and Niels Arestrup as supporting actor for France’s “A Prophet.”
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